#earthrunes

"Tantalus is still a master of chicanery, and may have learned new tricks" Earl scratches his chin

"Aye. But I have some counters there..."

Earl nods

The Sidhe thinks. "Could we use his relationship to Caesar, somehow, to help someone else cast Soothsay? I only suggest it to protect Zara. Not because I doubt her, not at all."

A soft huff.

"Zara, I don't doubt you. Not for an instant. I was just thinking to protect you." Quietly. "If you want to do this.... then you will do this. And I will help. With or without Magnus. But I think we should include him."

"We may include him, if we ensure that Tantalus is stopped."

"Do not think I forget that Miriam was the only slave we saved..."

Earl hangs his head "I was..the one who made the call there, Zara. Techincially I was the leader at the time"

"I know. I know... but... I will NOT sit by. I will stop him."

"-We- will. If you will have us."

Earl seems resolved about something.

"Aye."

"Okay. Everyone keep everyone posted when?" Earl says

August nods. "You have my notes. I await my orders." A soft smile, fond. "Commander." A nod to Zara.

"Well, I suppose next would be meeting and planning with Magnus..."

"Would you like me to let him know?"

She nods.

"I will." He whispers.

"And... well, we shall meet. I suppose this means Coradel, too."

"Possibly Claire," Earl adds "Though she's.. level headed"

A pained look.

"It doesn't have to mean Coradel, -or- Claire. As far as I'm concerned."

Earl raises a brow

"What? It doesn't."

"Just thinking, to use a phrase I heard Clem say 'you're about to be in the dog house so deep you'll find last year's bones'"

Shoulders droop.

Earl moves to Zara and puts a hand on hers, "I know. I know. "

"What's wrong, Zara?" Confused. "Did... I only meant it can be just the four of us... well, five counting Caspian....if you want it that way. If you want it to be more, then... ok."

He looks at Earl for translation services.

"That's a lot of..STRONG personalities for Zara to deal with on what she'd like to be a nice tight mission, is all, August" Earl says

His tone an attempt at diplomacy

"But that's what I'm saying. If Zara wants you and I and Magnus, only, then that's who goes. Oh, and Caspian."

"Why Caspian? I mean, I like him.. but.."

"Well, he usually drops in or pops up so I thought we could just kind of save room for him....." He grins shyly at Zara in response to Earl.

"Caspian does seem rather inevitable..."

"He does seem to be a recurring theme" Earl admits "There are patterns. We're due for a Caspian. Heck, somewhere Cookies are arriving"

"And da'an grace those that have them..."

A flicker of discomfort, but he says nothing.

"They are quite the experience."

"Well, I think a few more swords would be nice, but.. Zara.. if I might suggest?" Ahem

"Aye?" Soft and tired.

August gathers up his things.

"There's nothing saying that we couldn't work... in groups. Say.. you, me, August.. maybe someone else.. and Caspian in one area... while another area of the pipe line have Group be, consisting of .. oh, say Coradel, Claire and whoever in another Kingdom handlingTHAT part... far.. far away from you"

"just a thought' He offers with a bit of a smile

"That... mayhaps..."

"Not a bad idea, Earl." With a smile. "Something to think about, surely. And while we do, I can talk to Magnus, arrange a meeting to talk."

"Zara, can I leave you a note tomorrow on it?"

"Aye, indeed."

Earl inclines his head humbly and warms to see Zara sees potential in the idea